The Applicants' Drones Range From Five To 89 Pounds

The FAA published airworthiness criteria for the proposed certification of 10 different Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones as special class aircraft. This is a crucial step to enabling more complex drone operations beyond what is allowed under the small unmanned aircraft rule (Part 107), including package delivery. "The development of airworthy, durable, and reliable unmanned aircraft is a crucial step forward for this innovative sector," said Dr. Michael C. Romanowski, director of Aircraft Certification Service Policy and Innovation. "Type certification will help increase both public and regulatory confidence in drone technology as operations become more advanced."

AD 2020-24-06 Prompted By MCAI Originated By An Aviation Authority Of Another Country

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2019-08-13 for Textron Aviation, Inc., (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Models 525, 525A, and 525B airplanes with Tamarack Aerospace Group (Tamarack) active load alleviation system (ATLAS) winglets installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA03842NY. AD 2019-08-13 was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as malfunction of the ATLAS. This AD results from the identification of corrective actions that, if implemented, allow operators to reactivate the ATLAS and restore operations to normal procedures. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2020.

Federal Charges Allege Pilot Recklessly Operated Drone

Using data from the remnants of a drone that hit an LAPD helo last September and other evidence, the Feds believe they have found the operator of the errant aircraft. Special agents with the FBI this week arrested a Hollywood man on a federal charge alleging that he recklessly operated a drone that crashed into a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter. The drone damaged the LAPD aircraft and the pilot was forced to initiate an emergency landing. The drone also damaged a vehicle when the unmanned aircraft fell from the sky after the crash.

uAvionix Is Also Contributing To The Overall Low-Altitude Airspace Surveillance Picture

uAvionix is participating in the deployment of Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) infrastructure and network led by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. As a strategic partner to Thales’ TopSky Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platform, uAvionix is deploying terrestrial command and control (C2) infrastructure and a cloud-based C2 service, enabling centralized management, coordination, and C2 handoffs which will enable BVLOS missions across the key-site deployment area of McKenzie County, ND.

At The Time Of The Accident He Was Transporting A Large Toolbox At The End Of A 100-Foot External Load Line

On October 27, 2020, about 1133 Hawaiian standard time, a Hughes 369D, helicopter, N58251, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Honolulu, Hawaii. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter was being used to support powerline maintenance operations, by transporting personnel and equipment to remote sites along the powerline route. He said that at the time of the accident he was transporting a large toolbox at the end of a 100-foot external load line that was attached to the helicopter’s belly-mounted cargo hook.

AD 2020-23-06 Requires Inspecting The Main Rotor (M/R) Hub Assembly (Hub) Phonic Wheel Lock Washer

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor (M/R) hub assembly (hub) phonic wheel lock washer (lock washer) for correct installation and depending on the outcome, repairing or replacing the M/R hub. This AD was prompted by reported occurrences of M/R revolutions per minute (“NR”) sensor fluctuations. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective December 24, 2020.

AD 2020-23-07 Was Prompted By The Inadvertent Activation And Deployment Of A Raft While The Helicopter Was In Flight

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires removing certain emergency life raft (raft) reservoirs (reservoirs) from service, inspecting the reservoirs and raft actuator cables (actuator cables), and depending on the inspection results, replacing the reservoir or adjusting the actuator cable. This AD was prompted by the inadvertent activation and deployment of a raft while the helicopter was in flight. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD becomes effective December 4, 2020.